Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-05-12
THE LONE FISHERMAN.
Origin Of Noted Stage Characteristic.
NOR in Pantomime.


NOR in Pantomime.
1t is not generally known that Mr.
Maflit created the part of the Lone Fisher
man in "Evangeline. The character &
SO unique that in many places the play is
remembered by this part alone. The
Fisherman is on in every scene, but does
not speak word, and his only connection
with the play is 10 burn the will in the
last act Mr. Maffit said:
9Th. history Of the part is this: When
Mr.. Rice was a boy in New England he
saw a panorama. Sitting on the stage, at
one side Of the picture, was an old man
who had no business there and no con-
nection with the show He was absorbed
in the picture, and as il was unrolled his
face expressed great variety of emotions
of pleasure, disapproval, surprise, etc
Sometimes ne would laugh quietly. The
audience quit watching the picture
and watched the old man, who
made an immense hit. Rice always
remembered him. When ''Eyange-
line" was contemplated Rice came to me
and asked me if l wouldn't do a non
speaking part in it. The matter rested
there for some time. ''Evangeline" was
produced in New York in 1874, at Niblo's
Garden. Billy Crane, who had been the
buffo in an opera company. was the lie
Blanc, and Ed. Tar. then, as now, was the
King. Louis Mestayer was Catherine,
Fortesque's part, and Laura joyce. now
Mrs. Digby Bell, was Evangeline. A fish
erman went on in each act but all he did
was to fish. He had no other business,
and at the close of the play he spoke line
and burned the will. In 1873 the play
was brought TO Boston, where nv part
ner. Bartholomew, now with the kiralfys
and | were playing. Rice came to me and
reminded me Of the part he had asked me
TO play, but said there was no part there
unless | made IL. which he left il to me 10
do. ] went 10 the rehearSals and con
Cluded Ia undertake the character
made II mp as You now see il, and intro
duCed some of the business Ii came
gradually, though. and largely by acci-
dent. At first | did not dance Then il
occurred Ia me 10 ill in blank with one.
The Lone Fisherman dance is now fam
Gus.
''One night l took fan out with me
for my own personal comfort and sat fan
ming myself upon the rocks The fan
made hit and always carried il after
ward. An old umbrella was lying in the
property room one night and | took that
on. 1t added 10 the effect. was whit
ting a piece of wood with a jackknife
and thought if would look natural to
whittle il on the stage, a. had nothing
else To do Then bethought me of max
ing buat. ! made it. and my business
with IT was 10 admire il That made
people laugh. | concluded to 20 further
and work the boat off the stage That
always makes 'em laugh. OF course the
boat is pulled off by cord, but seem to
fan il off, and my astonshment at seeing
II move Is what creates the fun. The
business with the rat is a revival of. an
old pantOmime trick: but the three card
monte business is another accident | do
several tricks with cards. and one night
last winter | was showing them TO the
stage carpenters. When got on the stage
concluded would try the tricks there.
threw the cards and saw that the audi
encc became Interested: SO ! Just made il
A part of the regular performance. and
now always pretend 10 DE throwing the
ards for some guys money Sometimes
bets are made among men in the front
'ows that they can call my card. but ]
always fool them. Courier journal